The Pause

was awkward
and brought
the whole thing down
to a slow roll.

No cry went out
into the growing
darkness and no
eyes bent swiftly
in my direction.

Weathered Boots

Pulling off
the dusty

weathered boots
he released

a sigh the size
of Texas.

To learning

I have again turned
                   to learning.
Its pursuit is a
diversion from other
matters more pressing
and consequential.

Sometimes the best thing to do is just keep moving...

Under
his feet snow
complained
as he moved
across
the dark
empty street.

A quiet
destination
was not in
the cards.

For that matter
he didnt
know exactly
what to
expect
apart from a show
         of  disappointment.

Anywhere At All

As if I am a mother
or counsellor
people talk to me.

In restaurants
      coffee shops
                     buses
anywhere at all
people walk up
sit down
          and release.

Unclosed

The last time that I
saw her she
was wearing
a broad straw hat
that shaded
her face
and shoulders from
the sun.

Now and then the saddle
creaked beneath her and
the horse seemed
impatient to get
somewhere.

I dont remember what
we talked about.
My memory only knows
that it was good
to see her.

Eggplants

I dreamt
that my hands
were eggplants large
and purple
shiny like
new shoes.

My task
was to build
a house for my
grand-daughter's
little dolls.

Oh God, why?

I fumbled with tools
and tried simply
to push pieces
together.

In the end
I wept
and awoke
without tears
heartbroken
but whole.

Ghost

I have
no words
for this.

You were for me
a memory
someone lost
a heart wound
that had mostly healed.

Now you
appear behind
this secret door.

Hidden
I am lost.

The Sign

At the place
where the road divides
stands a two story
                     red-roofed
clapboard building.
A broad awning stretches
over the patchwork
wooden porch
shading a line
of round backed
metal chairs.

From the ridge pole
at the peak
a red sign is hung
with bright yellow letters -


        HOTDOGS   

I met a girl with amber eyes

that shone in the light.

Like stones
on a ring they garnered
one's attention.

She smiled easily
and made
a great cup of coffee.

Laguna Tide

Undulant
dark water falls
and rises
breaking effortless
on California sand

so smooth
appearing limitless
pale it shimmers
under a bright
three-quarter moon.

After William Carlos Williams

White frost glimmers
upon

frozen thin
branches

splayed like cold
fingers

awaiting warm
sunlight.